Stars hit for Seven as Dominant Giants open Title Defence on the Road

The Giants top line shone bright as Scott Conway added a goal to Mark Cooper and David Goodwin’s doubles, in addition to markers from Sam Ruopp and Gabe Bast.

FIRST PERIOD

Mark Cooper took a stretch pass from David Goodwin and promptly squared the puck to Scott Conway in the fourth minute, as Belfast’s top line continued to show ever-growing cohesion. Stars goalie Anton Svensson was challenged, but turned Conway’s shot away.

Belfast dominated possession early in the game, limiting the Stars time on the puck. Phillippe Sanche’s flipped pass to Fabrizio Ricci provided the hosts with their biggest threat of the opening 10 minutes, but Giants goalie Jackson Whistle comfortably passed his first test of the game.

Chad Butcher’s tripping call at 11:25 held a Dundee breakaway at bay, and the Giants kill unit continued their stellar early season run of form.

New Dundee Star Ian Parker’s life in the EIHL got off to a rocky start, as the 6 foot 9 forward suffered back-to-back penalties for interference at 12:55, and a faceoff violation at 17:51.

The Giants were more direct late in the period but could not find a way past Svensson, despite a scramble in front of goal at the buzzer.

SECOND PERIOD

Giants forward Mark Cooper looked to the heavens after his one-on-one breakaway was flicked harmlessly into Svensson’s chest in the opening minute.

However, it didn’t take him long to make amends, beating the Stars goalie to open the scoring at 24:47. (0-1)

The Giants weren’t finished there. Captain David Goodwin doubled the lead at 26:38 when he found Chad Butcher’s puck at the back door on the power play (a Mac Howlett tripping call), and Cooper added his second at 28:59 with a speculative effort from deep in the slot. (0-2, 0-3)

There was temporary reprieve for the Stars when talismanic forward Philippe Sanche clawed one back on the power play at 35:21, as Matt Foley sat for Interference. (1-3)

The Giants turned away a Stars power play to stunt any momentum when Steve Owre sat for delay of game at 36:51, and Goodwin pounced on the power play again from close range at 39:13 while Colin Joe sat for slashing. (1-4)

THIRD PERIOD

Sam Ruopp’s shot from the left circle over the blocker of Svensson put to bed any hopes of a Stars comeback at 42:51. (1-5)

Dundee Head Coach Jeff Mason made a change in goal, sending Welsh stopper Brython Preece into the breach, but he was caught cold by Scott Conway from the mid-slot at 43:01. (1-6)

The Stars had no response on the power play as Colby McAuley sat for hooking at 44:00, and the Giants were content to see the minutes tick by as Dundee’s Philippe Sanche sat for slashing at 44:29, and Drydn Dow followed for delay of game at 50:17.

There was a final nail from Gabe Bast at 52:37, capping off an evening to forget for the hosts who coasted to the final buzzer through a late power play when Ben Lake sat for slashing at 55:20. (1-7)

UP NEXT

The Stena Line Belfast Giants return home to The SSE Arena, Belfast on Sunday afternoon to take on the Guildford Flames in Premier Sports Elite League action at 5PM. Tickets are on sale HERE!

Images by Derek Black.